Bongo calves born at Minnesota Zoo

Two healthy bongo calves were born earlier this month at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. They can be seen in the Africa! exhibit at the zoo through Sept. 2. (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Zoo)

Two bongo calves were born earlier this month at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. The two healthy calves – the first ever born at the zoo – are making their public debut in the zoo’s summer Africa! exhibit.

A male calf was born June 6 and a female calf was born June 16. Both calves are doing well and currently weigh approximately 40 and 30 pounds, respectively.

Bongos (Tragelaphus eurycerus) are the largest and heaviest forest antelopes. They are found in rain forests with dense undergrowth across tropical Africa. They have auburn or chestnut coats with 10 to 15 vertical white stripes running down their sides. Males and females are both colorful, but males are usually darker.